Well.. in the blink of an eye: fall marathons are wrapping up, Halloween has come and gone, November has started… and Holiday Season is right around the corner! Whether it’s Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years, or Kwanzaa, the holidays usually bring in a few similar patterns..
More family time, more traveling, more food, more anxiety, more exhaustion… and less time. Time is something we know is crucial when training for a race, whether it’s a full marathon or half marathon. The commitment of time is arguably one of the most important factors in training. As life gets busier around the holidays, it’s important to remind ourselves why we’re doing this.. Our reason.
Running around the holidays aren’t for burning off those “holiday calories” or easing the guilt associated with eating lots of Christmas cookies. While yes, nutrition is very important during training cycles, running shouldn’t be a form of punishment for having the 2nd piece of pie at Thanksgiving because you can’t pick between Pumpkin and Apple (to be clear, I love them both). That extra piece of pie or that one extra cookie will not make or break your race this June.. so don’t let the guilt of it put a damper on the Holiday season.
On top of the extra food.. Comes extra family time, extra traveling (and potentially extra time at the office). Between traveling, family time and the stress of work.. We’re using the time we may have otherwise spent running. I’m very guilty in always feeling obligated to get in my weekly miles.. and feeling very upset (maybe more upset than I should be), if I miss a day of running. It’s important to give yourself grace and leniency around the holidays.. I have to remind myself constantly that again.. Missing 1 or 2 training runs in the grand scheme of things.. Is NOT going to make or break my race in June. But missing time with family is something I will not get back. So here’s your reminder that it’s okay if training doesn’t happen exactly according to plan… and to enjoy, cherish and spend time with your family and loved ones this holiday season. That running will always be there for us 🙂
On the OTHER end of the spectrum.. Running is always there for us! Run to ease some of the anxiety that comes around the holidays. Run to give yourself some self care in the midst of Christmas chaos. Run to get the “me-time” you so badly need. Run so you can do what you love during the holidays.
Running isn’t a chore, a form of punishment, or something we “should do” because we signed up for this race. Running is self care and we are so lucky our bodies enable us to do so. Running gives us the “me time”, the little endorphin boost, and the chance to experience Grandma’s Marathon firsthand. I will see you all in June for the best weekend of the season!!
Hannah Koch
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Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: I feel like each time I share my favorite Grandma’s Marathon memory, it’s different. Each year, I get to make new memories that become some of the happiest moments of my life. A few special GM memories that come to mind: Facetiming my Dad as I crossed the finish line of my first marathon ever (GM 2023), practically sprinting the last 2 miles of GM 2024 with my best friend, Alyson, only to miss breaking the 5 hour mark by 49 SECONDS.
But one that is a constant… for every single GM event (8 so far), my mom has always been on the bleachers at the finish to watch me cross. Her support for my running, listening to me talk about training constantly, and being at every finish line is my favorite memory. From volunteering at the water stop before lemon drop hill in my younger years, to going to every expo with me, to driving me to the bus in the morning. She’s been my constant in Grandma’s Marathon weekend. She is one of my favorite memories of Grandma’s Marathon.
Song that must be on your running playlist: Very odd.. But I actually prefer listening to country music when I run! Lately it’s been Megan Moroney! More specifically, the song “Am I Okay?”
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “Relentlessly moving forward”, “Do it because you can”.
Favorite post-race beverage: I love a good liquid-IV.. They’re kind of expensive little packets so I reward my long runs and races with them. My favorite flavor is cotton candy of course, or firecracker. Although if I’m in Duluth, a sour from Usra Minor is a close second!
Favorite pre-race meal: I found this when training for my first marathon and never looked back… Medium boiled eggs and classic ramen noodles. The yolk has to be a little “runny” and how much salt I add depends on how far that run is. Hahahah “runny”, get it?
2025 running goal:Primary running goal is to have a healthy season with minimal to no injuries. Secondary running goal is to increase weekly mileage from previous training cycles. After completing my Doctorate in May 2024, I have all this free time to run! Third tier goal is to run a sub 5-hour marathon. GM 2024, I missed it by 49 seconds!! It’d be really cool if I could push myself past that barrier.
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: Sentimental. Joyful. Passionate.